George W. Neighbor Jr. Memorial Scholarship

The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists is looking for candidates for the George W. Neighbor Jr. Memorial Scholarship award.

Who was George W. Neighbor, Jr.?

George Neighbor started with the New Jersey State Police in the 1970’s as a Criminalistics Supervisor in the North Regional Laboratory in Little Falls, NJ. He was a great trace evidence examiner and an excellent microscopist. George was instrumental in helping to overturn the wrongful conviction of Glenn Woodall in West Virginia which led to the downfall of Fred Zain and help demonstrate the need for quality assurance in forensic science laboratories. Perhaps George’s most lasting legacy was that he was a great teacher and mentor. Many of the young scientists he trained eventually became supervisors in their own right. He was a compassionate and patient mentor who took the time to work with junior scientists making them all better. He was President of NEAFS in 1981 and spoke often at NEAFS and other professional conferences. George was also very involved with the Boy Scouts in Hunterdon County (NJ) and a scout leader for a number of years. George retired in the early 1990's and was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly after the initial diagnosis. The forensic science community and NEAFS lost a great scientist, mentor, leader and a very dear friend. He was and will always be missed and remembered as one of the great ones that touched our professional and personal lives.

The George W. Neighbor, Jr. Scholarship was created and is given out in remembrance of him.

Eligibility requirements:• Currently enrolled in a Forensic Science or related science program• Full-time undergraduate students in their Junior or Senior year• Full or part-time graduate students (limited to first two years for PhD students) • The student must demonstrate excellence in his/her academic program.

Application requirements:• Two letters of recommendation (each accompanied with the recommendation form) from professors involved in a Forensic Science curriculum.• A letter from the student describing his/her personal goals, achievements and reasons for award consideration. (Minimum of 250 words - maximum of 500 words)• Either 1) an official school transcript (mailed to: Elizabeth Duval, 124 Acton Street, Maynard, MA 01754) or 2) a student copy sent electronically (unofficial transcripts must be signed by an Advisor/Program Director), which must include Fall 2015 grades. Official transcripts being mailed must be postmarked no later than April 30th.• Applicants should be attending college within the area from which the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists draws its members (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).

Application requirements must be emailed by April 30th. Out of fairness to all potential candidates, no exceptions will be made.

Interested candidates should submit the above requirements electronically in a single PDF titled (GWN_Last Name_First Name_Grad, or GWN_Last Name_First Name_Undergrad) to .

Carol De Forest Student Research Grant

The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists is looking for candidates for the Carol De Forest Student Research Grant.

The Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists lost a dear friend on October 3rd, 2011 when Carol De Forest, wife of Dr. Peter De Forest, lost her battle with cancer. The sight of Peter and Carol De Forest at a NEAFS meeting was as common as trace evidence on bullets, and of course always welcome. Carol invariably greeted everyone with a huge smile followed by a warm embrace. The sincerity with which she made these greetings was obvious. She always had a kind word for everyone and her compliments were genuine. For many of us, Carol’s role and influence went well beyond the Annual Meeting, as she became affectionately known as “The First Lady of Forensic Science”. To honor her spirit and enthusiasm, a student research grant fund has been established. The Carol De Forest Student Research Grant, to be awarded each year, has been designed to provide full time undergraduate or graduate forensic science students with ­financial assistance to conduct research.

Click the link below if you wish to donate to the Carol De Forest Grant Fund.

Grant Eligibility Requirements: - The applicant must be a full-time student completing his or her undergraduate or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution located in the Northeastern U.S. (New England, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). - The applicant must be majoring in a natural, allied or forensic science. - The student must have a research advisor who is a faculty member at the student’s academic institution.

Applicants must complete the application and submit with the required attachments. All submissions must be received and completed by April 30th. The deadline is firm with no extension. Please submit application and all accompanying documents electronically in a single PDF titled (CDF_Last Name_First Name) to .

Meritorious Service Award

Nominate a fellow NEAFS member whom for the annual Meritorious Service Award

This award is given to a NEAFS member that has a history of providing commendable service to the forensic science community by serving justice through casework, performing research for the advancement of forensic science, providing training and/or educating forensic scientists and future forensic scientists, and their overall contributions to the NEAFS organization.

The Eligible nominee must:Hold the status of being a Regular Member within NEAFS for at least 10 years to be considered.

If you have someone in mind:Please submit both the Meritorious Service Award Nomination Form along with a letter of recommendation outlining the nominee’s contributions to